Volunteer FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Driver 21+ Valid driver’s license, clean DMV record (3 years), background check, orientation, personal liability insurance, smartphone, reliable vehicle

Other Volunteer Roles: 18+  Background check, Orientation

  • Meal Delivery Driver: Once a week, deliver 12–16 meals in coolers to homebound seniors during weekdays (approx. 10 AM–12 PM). You’ll also check on their well-being and return empty coolers afterward. 
  • Friendly Visitor/Caller/Helper: Visit or call a senior once a week for companionship, or assist with errands like grocery pickup or transportation. 
  • Café Volunteer: Support local lunch sites by greeting, serving meals, or helping with reservations. 
  • Coach for 'A Matter of Balance' Classes: Lead fall-prevention exercise courses—training provided. Classes are held in person or virtually, requiring a ~12.5‑hour certification and 6‑month commitment. 
  • Office Support & Special Events: Help with administrative tasks, mailings, phone calls, or events. 

  • Meal Delivery: Usually one weekday per week, about 1–3 hours. 
  • Friendly Visitor/Caller/Helper: Around one hour-3 hours per week. 
  • Coach for Fall-Prevention Classes: Classes run in blocks (e.g., twice weekly for 4 weeks, or once weekly for 8 weeks). 
  • Flexible Options: Substitute (relief) drivers can choose when to be available—you’ll only be called when needed.

  • You’ll start at one of our designated pick-up sites, where you’ll receive coolers filled with meals for local seniors in need.
  • Each route includes detailed driving directions to make your deliveries simple and stress-free.
  • You’ll use your own car, and we ask that you carry personal liability insurance and have a smartphone for communication.

If you can't commit to every week, don't worry! We rely on a number of relief drivers as well. We contact our relief drivers when one of our regular drivers is unable to deliver. In other words, let us know when you're available, and we won't call you when you're not. Relief drivers are generally called as often as they want, making it a pretty easy commitment to keep.

We deliver frozen meals once a week.

Friendly Visitors visit with a senior once a week for about an hour, at a time that works for both of you. You provide companionship to a senior who may be lonely and isolated. You can play games, read books, go grocery shopping, or simply share stories. When you sign up to be a volunteer, we'll ask you about yourself and what you like to do. Then, we'll match you with a senior who shares your interests and whom we think you'll enjoy. We have a long list of seniors who are waiting to be matched with a Friendly Visitor.

If you prefer to create friendships over the phone, you can become a Friendly Caller, which provides our seniors a connection to another person even though they might not be able to go out.

Another volunteer opportunity is to become a Friendly Helper. Some Friendly Helpers run errands for seniors who are unable to do so for themselves, like grocery shopping, or picking up prescriptions. Clients reimburse the Friendly Helper for all items purchased. Friendly Helpers can also take clients to doctor’s appointments, hair appointments, or grocery shopping.

Café volunteers help keep our lunch sites running, by taking reservations over the phone, helping set up for lunch, greeting diners, or serving food. Each weekday, seniors gather at a café for a healthy meal in a social setting. The Cafés are located in the following locations:

  • Bay Point: Ambrose Center, 3105 Willow Pass Road
  • Concord: Senior Center, 2737 Parkside Circle
  • Pittsburg: Senior Center, 300 Presidio Lane
  • Rodeo: Community Center, 189 Parker Avenue
  • Walnut Creek: Hillside Covenant Church, 2060 Magnolia Way

There are many ways you can help in our office in Walnut Creek. Your duties will vary based on your experience and what you feel comfortable doing. You can:

  • Conduct research online or on the phone
  • Prepare mailings
  • Answer phones
  • Help with special projects
  • Computer work, databases, or other digital projects
  • Photography, video, or digital projects
  • Pack gifts and items for our clients.

If you don't have much time, we invite you to volunteer at our special events. We always need help with ticket sales, fundraising, and event staffing.

We deliver across Contra Costa County—including, West, East and Central Contra Costa County.:

Alamo, Antioch, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Canyon, Clayton, Concord, Crockett, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, El Cerrito
El Sobrante, Hercules, Knightsen, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Port Costa, Richmond, Rodeo, San Pablo, San Ramon, Walnut Creek.

Please call us on 925-937-8311 or email volunteer@mowdr.org